The U.S. men's national team is at a crossroads following their elimination from the Copa America group stage, and all eyes are on head coach Gregg Berhalter. Despite the early exit, Berhalter stands resolute in his belief that he remains the right man for the job.
Berhalter's tenure hit a rough patch as the team managed only one win, finishing third in Group C with three points, trailing behind Uruguay and Panama. Uruguay emerged as the group leader with a perfect nine points, while Panama secured the second spot with six points. A pivotal moment came when Panama delivered a crucial 2-1 victory over the U.S., sealing the Americans' fate.
In the match against Panama, the U.S. faced a significant setback when Timothy Weah received a red card in the 18th minute. The early dismissal left the squad grappling with numerical disadvantage for most of the game. Reflecting on the defeat, Berhalter admitted, "Obviously, the loss against Panama really hurt. I think when you talk about being, 80th minute, in a good position to get a draw and get something out of the game, we didn't get it."
Despite the setback, Berhalter remains optimistic about the future, citing the team's overall defensive solidity and ability to create chances. "Defensively, we're a very good team. Most games, we have higher expected goals than the opponent. We create chances, we move the ball well. To me, the whole thing is, you want to keep moving the team forward and I feel like we have," he stated.
However, the loss to Panama highlighted key issues that need addressing. "When you look at that moment specifically, there's some issues there. I think in that game in particular, a low block defending, needed to improve in that moment," Berhalter commented, indicating areas where the team needs to focus their efforts.
Berhalter, now in his fifth year as head coach, acknowledged that improvement is needed, but refuses to accept the notion of the program being beyond repair. "You think about the depth of the squad, the number of players that have played in games, so there's certainly improvement and we need to keep going. In my opinion, it's not something you say, 'Okay, this program's doomed.' It's not the case at all. It was a poor performance, we didn't get the results we expected and we need to get better," he articulated.
The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a comprehensive review to analyze the team's performance throughout the tournament. "We're going to do a review of the whole tournament and see where we fell short. The margins are so small and there's very little separating any of these teams and you have to treat every game as the same," Berhalter explained, emphasizing the competitive nature of international tournaments.
The Copa America roster included several players who competed in the 2022 World Cup, signaling continuity in squad selection. Additionally, three players aged 30 and older were part of the team, showing a blend of experience and youth within the squad. Berhalter praised the team's effort and commitment, stating, "When you see the effort tonight that we put in, it's incredible. The guys did a great job. They worked extremely hard, put in a great effort against a really good team but that needs to be the standard every time we step onto the field."
Regardless of the review's outcome, Berhalter's future remains uncertain. When asked about his continuation as head coach, he deflected responsibility, saying, "That's not up to me." While confident in his capabilities, Berhalter recognizes that the decision ultimately lies with the U.S. Soccer Federation.
As the team embarks on a period of reflection and review, the focus will likely be on addressing the shortcomings highlighted in the Copa America while building on the positives. For Berhalter, the objective remains clear—continuous development and striving to move the team forward, even in the face of adversity. "You think about the depth of the squad, the number of players that have played in games, so there's certainly improvement and we need to keep going," he reiterated, emphasizing the need for persistence and resilience.
The challenges are evident, and the path ahead may be fraught with obstacles. Yet, Berhalter's unwavering belief in his ability to lead the U.S. men's national team forward suggests that he is prepared for the arduous journey ahead, undeterred by the current setbacks.